The 21-year-old made the shock announcement on Wednesday’s Christmas special episode, telling her best friend Lucy Mecklenburgh she needs to leave the ITV2 reality show to get away from ex-boyfriend James ‘Arg’ Argent.

She said: “I’ve still got an ex boyfriend like Arg and every time I go to events he makes my life a misery.

“I just find it so hard all the time. I need to get away from this so he can get over me and I can move on with my life.

“I just don’t think I can go on with Arg there. I hate the boy so much and I just need to get away.

“And in time I can come back and spend time with my friends again.”

After the episode Lydia took to her Twitter account to confirm her departure from the show, saying she had the “best experience” and is “so glad” to have met Lucy on the programme.

Arg also got emotional about Lydia - who he split from earlier this year - in the episode and was comforted by his best friend and former ‘TOWIE’ star Mark Wright, who made a cameo appearance to cheer up his mate.

Speaking to Mark - who quit ‘TOWIE’ last year to do I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! - the said: “It’s been like old times. I’ve had so many ups and downs and everything with Lydia.

“Over the last week it just reminds me of the old times. You and me riding the horses.

“’I just feel like this is it now and it’s never gonna be the same again.”

Mark - who presented Arg with a framed picture of them both - replied: “This will never die, we’re best friends for life. You’re my best friend and that will never change.

“2013 Arg is coming back and MARG will never die. OK, give me a kiss. I love you.”

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